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Fertility & birth rates in Malaysia and Marshall Islands

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has an annual birth rate of 12.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 21.1 for the Marshall Islands. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.55 in Malaysia and 2.92 in the Marshall Islands — 88.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 75.8% in Malaysia and by 63.9% in the Marshall Islands — in 1960, it was 6.41 and 8.08, respectively.

  • Malaysia is ranked 112/196 by birth rate compared to 67/196 for the Marshall Islands.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31 in Malaysia — it's 27.1 in the Marshall Islands.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 5.96 in Malaysia vs 71.8 in the Marshall Islands.
  • In Malaysia, 26.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.8% in the Marshall Islands.

Fertility rate in Malaysia vs Marshall Islands by year

Malaysia
Marshall Islands
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2023 1.55 2.92
2022 1.55 2.94
2021 1.56 2.96
2020 1.68 2.99
2019 1.78 3.01
2018 1.84 3.04
2017 1.89 3.06
2016 1.94 3.09
2015 2.01 3.13
2014 2.06 3.18
2013 2.07 3.25
2012 2.12 3.38
2011 2.15 3.53
2010 2.14 3.67
2009 2.22 3.83
2008 2.26 3.97
2007 2.25 4.09
2006 2.31 4.2
2005 2.39 4.28
2004 2.49 4.34
2003 2.6 4.42
2002 2.66 4.49
2001 2.81 4.58
2000 2.94 4.7
1999 3.07 4.78
1998 3.12 4.87
1997 3.23 4.96
1996 3.3 5.02
1995 3.32 5.09
1994 3.35 5.23
1993 3.36 5.38
1992 3.37 5.55
1991 3.34 5.76
1990 3.3 5.97
1989 3.31 6.18
1988 3.5 6.38
1987 3.57 6.57
1986 3.7 6.73
1985 3.8 6.87
1984 3.89 6.99
1983 3.93 7.08
1982 3.97 7.18
1981 4 7.27
1980 4.04 7.37
1979 4.09 7.47
1978 4.18 7.58
1977 4.28 7.67
1976 4.4 7.76
1975 4.5 7.83
1974 4.62 7.9
1973 4.73 7.95
1972 4.82 8
1971 4.92 8.04
1970 5.04 8.07
1969 5.16 8.11
1968 5.29 8.14
1967 5.43 8.17
1966 5.64 8.2
1965 5.84 8.16
1964 6.03 8.14
1963 6.19 8.12
1962 6.3 8.12
1961 6.37 8.12
1960 6.41 8.08

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Malaysia was 1.55 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.92 in the Marshall Islands in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Malaysia vs the Marshall Islands population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Malaysia
Marshall Islands
1x
Year Natural population change
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2023 254,806 550
2022 237,560 606
2021 212,002 653
2020 283,282 689
2019 309,426 746
2018 324,568 785
2017 336,434 826
2016 345,681 866
2015 358,302 912
2014 367,587 959
2013 366,738 1,014
2012 371,497 1,097
2011 372,836 1,185
2010 360,260 1,273
2009 366,157 1,365
2008 362,380 1,443
2007 348,711 1,507
2006 349,509 1,556
2005 355,324 1,586
2004 365,138 1,595
2003 377,425 1,600
2002 381,084 1,594
2001 400,939 1,596
2000 417,371 1,592
1999 432,355 1,590
1998 436,316 1,576
1997 447,768 1,564
1996 450,174 1,542
1995 443,349 1,522
1994 437,873 1,524
1993 429,910 1,524
1992 418,900 1,525
1991 401,938 1,540
1990 384,518 1,556
1989 373,277 1,574
1988 386,507 1,575
1987 381,999 1,566
1986 385,799 1,544
1985 383,243 1,511
1984 376,797 1,470
1983 365,290 1,422
1982 353,138 1,375
1981 339,991 1,328
1980 326,947 1,287
1979 317,439 1,250
1978 311,027 1,207
1977 305,515 1,160
1976 300,615 1,109
1975 294,541 1,055
1974 289,880 1,000
1973 284,611 954
1972 276,263 913
1971 272,323 877
1970 269,341 819
1969 264,327 747
1968 260,705 685
1967 258,764 636
1966 262,162 603
1965 264,836 566
1964 266,406 536
1963 265,815 509
1962 262,140 488
1961 257,270 469
1960 251,090 452

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

The chart above illustrates the comparison of the absolute yearly changes in population resulting from births and deaths.

Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was +0.73% in Malaysia and +1.42% in the Marshall Islands.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.92% in Malaysia and +1.69% in the Marshall Islands.

Birth rate in Malaysia vs Marshall Islands by year

Malaysia
Marshall Islands

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2023 12.4 21.1
2022 12.4 22
2021 12.4 23.2
2020 13.4 23.4
2019 14.2 23.7
2018 14.8 24.1
2017 15.3 24.4
2016 15.8 24.7
2015 16.3 25.2
2014 16.7 25.7
2013 16.8 26.4
2012 17 27.7
2011 17.2 29.2
2010 16.9 30.9
2009 17.3 32.8
2008 17.4 34.3
2007 17.1 35.6
2006 17.4 36.6
2005 17.9 37.2
2004 18.7 37.4
2003 19.6 37.6
2002 20.1 37.6
2001 21.4 37.8
2000 22.6 38.2
1999 23.8 38.3
1998 24.4 38.4
1997 25.4 38.6
1996 26.1 38.5
1995 26.3 38.5
1994 26.6 39
1993 26.8 39.6
1992 26.8 40.2
1991 26.5 41.2
1990 26.2 42.4
1989 26.3 43.8
1988 27.8 45
1987 28.3 46.2
1986 29.4 47.3
1985 30.1 48.2
1984 30.6 48.9
1983 30.7 49.5
1982 30.8 50
1981 30.8 50.5
1980 30.7 51.1
1979 30.8 51.6
1978 31 51.7
1977 31.3 51.6
1976 31.7 51.4
1975 32 50.9
1974 32.3 50.3
1973 32.7 49.7
1972 32.7 48.9
1971 33.2 48.5
1970 33.7 47.7
1969 34 47.2
1968 34.5 47.4
1967 35.1 47.7
1966 36.4 47.5
1965 37.7 46.6
1964 39.1 46.2
1963 40.4 46
1962 41.3 46.2
1961 42.2 46.5
1960 42.9 46.9

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 12.4 in Malaysia and 21.1 in the Marshall Islands, compared with 42.9 and 46.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Malaysia Marshall Islands
Fertility rate 1.55 2.92
Fertility rate rank 133/196 58/196
Birth rate 12.4 21.1
Birth rate rank 112/196 67/196
Population change due to births and deaths +254,806 +550
Natural population change rank 54/196 143/196
Natural population change rate +0.73% +1.42%
Population growth +1.23% -3.29%
Population growth rank 89/197 197/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 20.7 years
Average age at childbearing 31 years 27.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 5.24 70.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 66 165.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 25.6 18.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.5% 23.8%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 34.5% 42.4%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.6% 92.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.03% 0.16%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.41% 1.3%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.68% 2.35%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.81% 2.82%
Life expectancy 77.2 years 67.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Malaysia
Factual

UN forecast
Marshall Islands
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2100 13.3% 16.6%
2099 13.3% 16.6%
2098 13.4% 16.6%
2097 13.4% 16.7%
2096 13.4% 16.7%
2095 13.4% 16.8%
2094 13.5% 16.9%
2093 13.5% 17%
2092 13.5% 17.1%
2091 13.6% 17.3%
2090 13.6% 17.5%
2089 13.7% 17.7%
2088 13.7% 17.9%
2087 13.7% 18.2%
2086 13.8% 18.4%
2085 13.8% 18.7%
2084 13.8% 19%
2083 13.9% 19.3%
2082 13.9% 19.5%
2081 13.9% 19.8%
2080 13.9% 20%
2079 13.9% 20.2%
2078 13.9% 20.4%
2077 13.9% 20.6%
2076 13.9% 20.8%
2075 13.9% 20.9%
2074 13.9% 21%
2073 13.9% 21.1%
2072 13.9% 21.2%
2071 13.9% 21.3%
2070 13.9% 21.3%
2069 14% 21.4%
2068 14% 21.5%
2067 14.1% 21.7%
2066 14.1% 21.8%
2065 14.2% 22%
2064 14.3% 22.3%
2063 14.4% 22.6%
2062 14.5% 22.9%
2061 14.6% 23.3%
2060 14.8% 23.8%
2059 14.9% 24.3%
2058 15.1% 24.8%
2057 15.2% 25.4%
2056 15.4% 26%
2055 15.5% 26.5%
2054 15.7% 27.1%
2053 15.8% 27.6%
2052 16% 28%
2051 16.1% 28.4%
2050 16.2% 28.7%
2049 16.3% 28.9%
2048 16.4% 29%
2047 16.5% 29.1%
2046 16.6% 29%
2045 16.7% 28.9%
2044 16.8% 28.7%
2043 16.9% 28.4%
2042 16.9% 28.2%
2041 17% 27.8%
2040 17.1% 27.5%
2039 17.1% 27.3%
2038 17.2% 27.3%
2037 17.3% 27.4%
2036 17.3% 27.8%
2035 17.5% 28.4%
2034 17.7% 28.9%
2033 18% 29.5%
2032 18.3% 30%
2031 18.7% 30.6%
2030 19.2% 31.2%
2029 19.7% 31.7%
2028 20.1% 32.3%
2027 20.6% 32.9%
2026 21.1% 33.6%
2025 21.6% 34.2%
2024 21.8% 34.5%
2023 22.3% 34.7%
2022 22.8% 34.6%
2021 23.4% 34.4%
2020 24% 34.5%
2019 24.5% 35.1%
2018 24.9% 35.7%
2017 25.2% 36.2%
2016 25.5% 36.8%
2015 25.8% 37.5%
2014 26.2% 38.2%
2013 26.6% 38.8%
2012 27% 39.4%
2011 27.4% 39.7%
2010 27.9% 39.7%
2009 28.6% 39.4%
2008 29.4% 39.2%
2007 30% 39%
2006 30.7% 38.9%
2005 31.4% 39.1%
2004 32% 39.4%
2003 32.6% 39.9%
2002 33.2% 40.6%
2001 33.7% 41.3%
2000 34.2% 42%
1999 34.6% 42.8%
1998 35% 43.7%
1997 35.3% 44.7%
1996 35.5% 45.6%
1995 35.7% 46.6%
1994 36% 47.5%
1993 36.3% 48.4%
1992 36.6% 49.1%
1991 36.9% 49.7%
1990 37.2% 50.2%
1989 37.5% 50.6%
1988 37.7% 50.8%
1987 37.9% 50.8%
1986 38% 50.7%
1985 38.1% 50.6%
1984 38.2% 50.4%
1983 38.4% 50.4%
1982 38.6% 50.3%
1981 38.8% 50.3%
1980 39.2% 50.1%
1979 39.6% 49.8%
1978 40.1% 49.4%
1977 40.6% 49%
1976 41.1% 48.5%
1975 41.7% 48.2%
1974 42.2% 47.8%
1973 42.8% 47.3%
1972 43.4% 46.6%
1971 44% 45.6%
1970 44.5% 45%
1969 45% 45.3%
1968 45.5% 46.1%
1967 45.9% 46.7%
1966 46.2% 47.2%
1965 46.5% 47.5%
1964 46.6% 47.5%
1963 46.5% 47.4%
1962 46.3% 47.1%
1961 45.9% 46.7%
1960 45.4% 46.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 21.8% of the population in Malaysia and 34.5% in the Marshall Islands in 2024, compared to 37.2% and 50.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Malaysia and the Marshall Islands compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Malaysia vs Marshall Islands

Malaysia
Marshall Islands
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2023 26 155
2022 38 174
2021 52 206
2020 29 178
2019 28 168
2018 29 167
2017 29 179
2016 30 183
2015 30 184
2014 30 199
2013 29 201
2012 29 207
2011 29 209
2010 29 212
2009 29 224
2008 29 226
2007 30 229
2006 30 233
2005 31 234
2004 33 238
2003 34 221
2002 34 223
2001 36 231
2000 37 251
1999 38 250
1998 39 259
1997 40 274
1996 42 292
1995 43 303
1994 44 303
1993 46 320
1992 48 322
1991 49 297
1990 51 311
1989 52 299
1988 55 276
1987 56 282
1986 59 274
1985 63 254

Data sources: World Bank | Gender (1985–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 26 deaths per 100,000 live births in Malaysia, compared to 155 deaths in the Marshall Islands.

Under-five mortality rates

Malaysia
Marshall Islands

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Malaysia Marshall Islands
2023 0.81% 2.82%
2022 0.81% 2.91%
2021 0.81% 3%
2020 0.81% 3.1%
2019 0.82% 3.19%
2018 0.82% 3.29%
2017 0.82% 3.38%
2016 0.82% 3.48%
2015 0.81% 3.57%
2014 0.81% 3.66%
2013 0.81% 3.75%
2012 0.8% 3.82%
2011 0.81% 3.89%
2010 0.81% 3.94%
2009 0.82% 3.97%
2008 0.82% 4.02%
2007 0.82% 4.06%
2006 0.83% 4.1%
2005 0.83% 4.14%
2004 0.84% 4.18%
2003 0.85% 4.21%
2002 0.88% 4.24%
2001 0.93% 4.25%
2000 1% 4.25%
1999 1.07% 4.23%
1998 1.15% 4.19%
1997 1.23% 4.15%
1996 1.29% 4.14%
1995 1.34% 4.15%
1994 1.39% 4.2%
1993 1.45% 4.29%
1992 1.51% 4.43%
1991 1.58% 4.59%
1990 1.66% 4.76%
1989 1.74% 4.95%
1988 1.83% 5.13%
1987 1.93% 5.31%
1986 2.05% 5.49%
1985 2.18% 5.66%
1984 2.32% 5.83%
1983 2.47% 6%
1982 2.65% 6.15%
1981 2.84% 6.29%
1980 3.04% 6.42%
1979 3.25% 6.52%
1978 3.48% 6.61%
1977 3.71% 6.69%
1976 3.97% 6.77%
1975 4.23% 6.86%
1974 4.5% 6.97%
1973 4.79% 7.13%
1972 5.06% 7.33%
1971 5.32% 7.58%
1970 5.56% 7.87%
1969 5.79% 8.19%
1968 6.02% 8.53%
1967 6.27% 8.88%
1966 6.56% 9.25%
1965 6.89% 9.64%
1964 7.28% 10.1%
1963 7.74% 10.5%
1962 8.25% 11%
1961 8.83% 11.6%
1960 9.46% 12.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/marshall-islands | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.81% in Malaysia and 2.82% in the Marshall Islands. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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